Oak tree

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a novel variety of Shumard Oak, distinguished by its immature leaf color which is maroon until late spring or early summer, then turning into green.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of oak treeof the species botanically known as Quercus shumardii and commonlycalled "Shumard oak." I discovered my new variety as a seedling mutationof unknown parentage among a group of nursery plants of the Shumard oakvariety which were being grown in a cultivated area of a nursery inBoring, Oreg.

While engaged in the routine care of the nursery, my attention was firstattracted to the new seedling among a row of Shumard oak seedlingsbecause of the coloration of its leaves. At that time, the leaves of thenew seedling were a deep maroon, while the leaves of the other Shumardoak seedlings in the nursery were green. Close observations of the newseedling and continued observations of progeny thereof subsequentlyasexually propagated by me in Boring, Oreg. by budding, confirmed thatthe unique leaf coloration of the new variety was the result of aseedling variation. I am, therefore, convinced that my new treerepresents a new and improved variety of Quercus shumardii, asparticularly evidenced by the following unique combination ofcharacteristics which have proven firmly fixed, are outstanding therein,and which distinguish it from all other varieties of this species:

1. Leaves which when newly formed are deep maroon in color; and

2. The long-lastingness of the maroon coloration of such leaves whichgives the entire tree a distinct and highly ornamental maroon appearanceuntil late spring or early summer.

The accompanying photographs depict a color of the foliage of my newvariety as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same in acolor illustration of this character.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a branch of a tree of the presentinvention taken on June 29, 1977 to show the maroon appearance of theleaves of the tree,

FIG. 2 is a color photograph of leaves of the tree of my invention takenat the same time as the photograph of FIG. 1.

As previously indicated, the newly formed leaves are maroon. Thereafter,as the leaves age, they gradually turn to an olive green color. FIG. 2depicts this progressive change in color from the young leaf on theright to the more mature leaf on the left. In addition, the maroon newgrowth leaves which appear late in the growing season contrast withthose leaves which have turned green to give the tree an attractivemulticolor look.

The leaves of other Shumard oak trees, unlike my new variety, are greenin the spring. In fact, in mid-June 1976, the Shumard oak trees, exceptfor my new variety, growing in the area where my nursery aforesaid islocated, all had green leaves, while at the same time, the entire treeof my new variety had a maroon appearance. Otherwise, my new varietygenerally is typical of the species.

The following is a detailed description of my new variety of Quercusshumardii, with color terminology in accordance with the "RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart" (hereinafter R.H.S.), published bythe Royal Horticultural Society of London. It is pointed out, however,that the coloration of the leaves as indicated below is only approximatebecause the coloring varies considerably as the leaves age. In addition,the size and shape of the leaves varies from tree to tree and dependupon the nature of the growing season.

Parentage: A seedling mutation of unknown parentage.

Propagation: Holds to distinguishing characteristics through succeedingpropagation by budding.

Locality where grown and observed: Boring, Oreg.

Tree: Upright, healthy.

Foliage:

Shape.--Obovate to oval.

Size.--Typically 3 to 5 inches long and 2 to 4 inches broad.

Apex.--Acuminate to acute.

Base.--Cuneate.

Margin.--Typically seven to nine lobes, with many bristle tips. Thelobes are often subdivided into secondary lobes by sinuses.

Color.--As described above and more specifically: Initially the leaf isa deep maroon color (similar to RHS 187A) which gradually changes withage to a lighter maroon color (somewhat darker than RHS 183A) and thento an olive green with a maroon cast (not shown in RHS). Eventually, theleaf turns to an olive green to green color (generally like RHS 137C)similar to the color of the leaf of other Shumard oaks.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of oak tree substantially asherein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty bythe maroon coloration of its newly formed leaves which coloration islong-lasting to give the entire tree a distinct maroon appearance untillate spring or early summer.